Overview:
The Bullpasture begins in northern Highland County, and flows through McDowell before rushing through the Bullpasture Gorge to join the Cowpasture. The Bullpasture is blessed with a nearly unpopulated watershed with excellent forest cover, so water quality is of the highest quality, as is the trout population. The Bullpasture has a strong base flow, so it has enough water for canoeing more frequently than most small rivers in the state.
Recommended Trips:
Bullpasture Gorge: (daytrip) Highland Wildlife Management area parking lot, or higher put ins such as along Route 678 or at the Rt 612 bridge, to Williamsville
Directions to Put Ins and Take Outs:
View Bullpasture River in a larger map
Williamsville: Park in the gravel parking lot at the Route 678/Route 614 intersection, not in the adjacent gravel parking lot across the street from the church.
Highland Wildlife Management Area: From Williamsville follow Route 678 up through the Bullpasture Gorge. When the road starts to return to the river level turn right at an unmarked gravel drive. There is a suspension foot bridge and picnic tables at this facility.
Route 678 along the road: A couple miles upriver, near some rocky cliffs, park in the grass along the road and put in. This is the recommended put in for the gorge because it adds some enjoyable ledges that are above the Wildlife Management Area.
Sections of River to Run:
Bullpasture Gorge: Above the Highland Wildlife Management Area there are some class 1 and 2 ledges and small rock gardens. Immediately below the footbridge at the Highland Wildlife Management Area is a chute with a good wave train, followed by a quarter to half mile or relatively flat water through a beautiful rocky gorge. Then the Bullpasture falls through many class 2 rock gardens, which are very technical at lower water levels, before reaching its finale with Double Ledge rapid and a subsequent falls. Double Ledge is recognizable because it is the first clear horizon line on the river, and has a large boulder on center right about halfway through the rapid. Pull out on the right to scout and make sure no strainers are in the rapid. Run Double Ledge down the middle at lower water levels, but be aware that the hole at the bottom will cover you up as the water level gets higher. Immediately after Double Ledge is a five foot high ledge. On the right is a two step drop with a nasty pinning rock near the middle of it. If running the right slot (which, from the river, seems like the logical route at lower water levels) be sure to stay on the right side of it to avoid the pinning rock. There are two other slots further left, both of which are sheer drops. The one in the middle has a deeper pool, and is more easily accessible. It can be run as low as 180 cfs or so, as can the right slot. Generally, if the Bullpasture has 200 cfs water levels are adequate. 180 cfs is a good bare minimum.
